If Vietnam is on your shortlist for the next long weekend or year-end break, the Vietnam entry requirements for Singaporeans are refreshingly simple in most cases, with one important new step to remember if you are flying into Ho Chi Minh City. Here is the up-to-date position for 2026, plus what it costs to get there from Changi.
Visa-free entry: 30 days for Singapore passport holders
Singapore passport holders can enter Vietnam visa-free for stays of up to 30 consecutive days, with multiple entries allowed across the year and no application fee. You simply need a passport valid for at least six months from your date of arrival, and ideally a couple of blank pages for the entry stamp.
For the vast majority of Singapore travellers – a beach week in Da Nang, a food tour of Ho Chi Minh City, or a Ha Long Bay cruise – this 30-day window is more than enough, and no paperwork is required before you fly.
Staying longer? The 90-day e-visa
Planning to stay beyond 30 days, or thinking of a longer working-remotely stint? Singaporeans are eligible for Vietnam’s e-visa, which allows stays of up to 90 days on either a single- or multiple-entry basis. You apply online, upload a passport photo and passport bio page, and pay the government fee by card. Approval typically takes about three working days, so apply at least a week ahead to be safe.
New for 2026: the Ho Chi Minh City pre-arrival form
This is the one change that catches Singapore travellers out. Since 15 April 2026, everyone arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City – including Singaporeans travelling visa-free – must complete an online pre-arrival declaration before they reach the immigration counter.
Who needs it
The requirement applies to foreign passport holders (and overseas Vietnamese entering on a visa) arriving at SGN. Importantly, it currently applies only to Ho Chi Minh City. Flights into Hanoi (HAN), Da Nang (DAD) and other airports are not affected for now, though it is sensible to expect this to expand.
How to submit it
Complete the form free of charge at the official portal, prearrival.immigration.gov.vn. You will need your passport, confirmed flight details, your visa or entry document information, and the full address of your Vietnam accommodation. Once approved, the system generates a QR code – save a screenshot and have it ready to show officers on arrival.
When to do it
The declaration can be submitted up to 72 hours (three days) before arrival. Fill it in once your accommodation is booked, and keep the QR code offline in case airport Wi-Fi is patchy. Just as with Thailand’s changing rules, it pays to double-check the requirements shortly before you fly – see our guide to the Thailand visa exemption change for Singaporeans.
Getting there: flights and fares from Singapore
Vietnam is one of the best-value short-haul destinations from Singapore, with a roughly two-hour hop to Ho Chi Minh City. On a typical basis, expect the following one-way and return fares in shoulder months (SGD, subject to change):
- Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN): from about S$97 one-way; Scoot returns from around S$222.
- Singapore to Hanoi (HAN): Scoot one-way from about S$128, returns from around S$235.
- Singapore to Da Nang (DAD): AirAsia via Kuala Lumpur from roughly S$130-S$220 return; Scoot direct returns from around S$362.
VietJet often posts the lowest headline base fare, but once you add a 20kg checked bag and a seat, Scoot’s all-in total frequently matches or beats it – so compare the final price, not the teaser. VietJet was also running a promo code (VJSALE20) for 20% off premium cabins through 31 August 2026. If you collect miles, it can be worth timing a booking around a Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer promotion too.
Practical tips before you fly
A few things smooth the trip. Carry some Vietnamese dong for markets and taxis, though cards and QR payments are widely accepted in the cities. Grab is the go-to ride-hailing app. Download an offline map and your accommodation’s address in Vietnamese. And, as always, buy travel insurance before departure – motorbike-heavy traffic and adventure activities make cover well worth it. For a sense of how entry rules differ elsewhere in the region, our Japan travel rules 2026 guide is a useful comparison.
Quick checklist
- Passport valid at least six months, with blank pages.
- Visa-free for up to 30 days; e-visa for up to 90 days.
- Flying into Ho Chi Minh City? Complete the pre-arrival form at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn within 72 hours of arrival and save the QR code.
- Compare all-in fares (bag + seat), not just base fares.
- Travel insurance and an offline map before you go.
Get the paperwork right and Vietnam remains one of the easiest, best-value escapes from Singapore. Meeting the Vietnam entry requirements takes minutes when you plan ahead – the hardest decision is really whether to start in the north or the south.
Fares and rules are accurate at the time of writing (10 August 2026) and can change; always confirm on the airline and official immigration websites before booking.
